NHL roundup: Nikita Kucherov's 100th assist lifts Lightning past Leafs

On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Lightning triumphed over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 6-4, while NHL point leader Nikita Kucherov achieved a remarkable milestone by notching his 100th assist of the season. This historic feat adds to Kucherov's exceptional performance and solidifies his position as the leading point scorer in the league.

In the final game of the regular season for both teams, Kucherov, with a total of 144 points (44 goals, 100 assists), also found the back of the net.

He reached the milestone of 100 assists in a single season when he set up Brayden Point's goal at 17:05 of the second period, giving Tampa Bay a commanding 4-1 lead.

Joining an elite group of players in NHL history, Wayne Gretzky (11 times), Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, and Connor McDavid are the only other individuals to achieve 100 assists in a single season. McDavid has now joined this exclusive club during the 2023-24 season.

Contributing to the Lightning's victory (45-29-8, 98 points), Nicholas Paul, Anthony Duclair, and Brandon Hagel each scored a goal and provided an assist. Tanner Jeannot also added a goal to the tally.

Steven Stamkos recorded two assists, and goaltender Matt Tomkins made an impressive 34 saves, securing Tampa Bay's home record of 25-11-5.

In a thrilling matchup, the Dallas Stars emerged victorious with a 2-1 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues. Jake Oettinger's exceptional performance in goal, making 25 saves, helped Dallas secure the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Oettinger's standout moment came during overtime when he made a remarkable stick save to deny Robert Thomas' elevated shot towards the open side of the net.

Mason Marchment scored the regulation goal for the Stars, while Jason Robertson sealed the victory with the shootout winner.

For the Blues, Thomas managed to find the back of the net, and Jordan Binnington made an impressive 36 saves.

In an exciting clash, the New York Islanders triumphed over the Pittsburgh Penguins with a final score of 5-4 in Elmont, N.Y. Simon Holmstrom's go-ahead goal at 14:27 of the third period proved to be the decisive moment for the Islanders.

Holmstrom, Brock Nelson, and Samuel Bolduc each contributed a goal and an assist, while Casey Cizikas and Kyle Palmieri also added to the Islanders' goal tally. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin made an impressive 40 saves to secure the victory.

The Penguins fought hard, with Evgeni Malkin recording a goal and an assist, and Rickard Rakell, Valtteri Puustinen, and Jeff Carter also finding the back of the net.

The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 5-2, with Dylan Guenther contributing a goal and an assist to secure the victory in Tempe, Arizona. Liam O'Brien,

Matias Maccelli, Lawson Crouse, and Sean Durzi also found the back of the net for the Coyotes, who are anticipated to move to Salt Lake City. Goaltender Connor Ingram made 28 saves.

On the other hand, Sam Carrick and Warren Foegele scored for the Oilers, with goaltender Calvin Pickard making 19 saves. The Oilers have a record of 1-2-1 in their last four games.